Prime Minister Anthony Albanese casts Yes vote in upcoming referendum, joins 1.8 million pre-poll voters

ABC NEWS (Australia)

More than ten per cent of eligible voters have already cast their ballots on whether to recognise first Australians through a constitutionally enshrined advisory body to parliament.

Transcript

00:00 An optimistic Prime Minister, joining two million others in voting early.

00:10 Appealing for Australians to embrace the rare opportunity of a referendum.

00:15 "Frankie's voting yes."

00:16 "There is nothing to fear here and I believe this will be a moment of national unity."

00:23 Ahead of a cross-country sprint to the finish line.

00:26 "In the next seven days, I was in Queensland yesterday, I will be in the other five states and two territories over the coming seven days."

00:37 As the No campaign turns to former Prime Ministers and focuses attention on a message that seems to be cutting through.

00:45 "This extremely divisive voice which would entrench disunity and inequality in our constitution."

00:51 The No camp maintaining its criticism of the wording and timing of the first referendum in more than two decades.

00:59 "What we're hearing from a lot of voters is that they're frustrated with the way this referendum has been handled by the Prime Minister."

01:04 "They feel like we're more divided than united because of it."

01:07 Both sides are calling for respect in the remaining days of the campaign.

01:11 But neither is willing to put forward a detailed plan should polling prove right and the referendum fail.

01:17 Leaving many to contemplate whether enduring the nastier side of the campaign has been worthwhile.

01:23 "Some of it's been bruising, that's true. But the really big issue or the most important issue is not that."

01:31 "The important issue is what this will deliver for the country."

01:35 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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